TVOS 18.4: What the new operating system for Apple TV brings

In addition to the larger updates for iOS, iPados, macOS and late Watchos, Apple has also updated an update for its Apple TV operating system TVOS this week. TVOS 18.4 is not very extensive when it comes to changes, but still provides some interesting functions. An overview.

Home, downloads, TV app

In the area of ​​home support-where TVOS still lacks a dedicated app-the multimedia ox can now also control robotic vacuum cleaners and wiping devices. This has also been possible with Watchos, iOS, Ipados and Macos since this week. If you work a lot with apps, you can automatically download in-app content in the future. There is also a new switch in the system settings. Access to (new) content is thus accelerated, but this also eats more memory.

The Apple TV app has received a somewhat changed design. There are new tabs to add content to the watchlist, an information view and one that shows what is played next. Trailer and teaser now end up in a new clip section. Something has also changed internally: As developers have found, TVOS 18.4 supports the chatkit framework. This would make it possible-at least theoretically-to display impersage messages on the TV for the first time or even to send it by Siri (or via Bluetooth connected keyboard). This is reminiscent of Apple’s (unfortunately slow) procedure with FaceTime: thanks to the coupling with an iPhone or iPad, video chats can now be stopped there – also with other apps.

Lossless with AV receiver

Apple had published a Lossless and USB-C audio update in the form of a new firmware for the Airpods Max this week. Apple-TV-4K devices are also easy, at least in connection with the planned Apple Music app and a subscription (12 euros a month) plus AV receiver (connection via HDMI).

As Apple explains, there is now Suitable settings in the field of audio quality. As with the Airpods Max, the sample rate is limited to a maximum of 24 bits at 48 kHz. With adapter/converter, 24-bit are also in 192 kHz with adapter/converter. TVOS 18.4 is installed via the system settings of the multimedia box. The build wears the number 22L255.